630: 14.26

14.26

"Wife?"                      0

Gaius froze on the spot as he heard the voice of his beloved husband. He didn't realize that Clarke came home earlier because of the deafening sound of the home theatre. 

He turned his head slowly and saw Clarke staring at him, still feeding Reed with french fries. Artemis was sitting on Reed's lap while Hermes was absorbed with the movie. 

Gaius immediately pushed Reed and got up from the chair. He walked towards Clarke nervously and tried to shift his attention, "H—husband, you surprised me. Why did you come home so early?" 

"Am I not allowed to come home?" Clarke asked with a sharp tone as if he was scolding Gaius. 

"N—No, not at all…." Gaius swallowed his saliva as he tried to pick the briefcase from Clarke's hand. But Clarke gripped his briefcase tightly, still watching over Reed and his kids, who looked so close.

"Why's Reed here?" Clarke asked.

"W—Well, because we have movie day together, didn't I tell you before?" Gaius replied, trying to control the situation before it became a disastrous Sunday for them. 

"I know, that's why I head as soon as I finish my work. But why is Reed here?" Clarke asked again. 

Reed, who heard that he was the source of the talk between Gaius and Clarke, finally got up from the chair and greeted his brother, "Good afternoon, brother. I didn't know that you'd finally return home. I thought you'd stay in the office longer."

Clarke stared at his brother. He loved his brother because Reed was his only living relative, but he felt that Reed was a thorn in his eyes right now. 

"Why are you here, Reed?" Clarke asked. 

"Ah, I thought brother-in-law has informed you," Reed leaned on the wall and replied to that question lightly, "He invited me over for movie day because you're unavailable. So I come here to replace you to play with the kids."

Gaius was shocked when Reed said that he was a replacement for Clarke. His guess was correct when he saw Clarke's expression turn ugly in an instant, but Clarke said nothing while staring at Gaius, demanding an answer.

"D—Don't misunderstand, we're just having movie day because the kids are expecting you to join. I don't want to ruin their mood, so I have to ask someone else to watch with us. You know, the kids' happiness is my priority…." Gaius tried to calm the situation down, and it worked a bit since Clarke's expression eased. 

He sighed and hugged his wife, "Sorry for glaring at you. I was just too tired."

"Un… I understand…" Gaius obediently replied. Of course, he was still mad at Clarke for leaving his family for work during their supposed weekend, but he was still logical enough to see that things would turn out really bad if he challenged Clarke, who was obviously exhausted to the bone. 

Gaius snatched the briefcase from Clarke and told him, "You should go and play with the kids first. They've been waiting for you. I'll prepare for lunch."

"Ah, I have a lunch meeting outside. I'll go now," Reed suddenly interrupted. 

"Eh, really? You won't stay for lunch?" Gaius asked out of kindness. He glanced at Clarke, thinking he would back him up since Clarke usually wanted Reed to stay.

But strangely, Clarke said nothing right now, he only stared at Reed, but his eyes urged Reed to leave as soon as possible. 

Reed knew things would escalate into a bad argument if he didn't leave.

"No, I'll leave now. No need to tell the kids," Reed said. He glanced at Hermes and Artemis, who was still absorbed with the movie. 

Reed walked away and left their apartment, and Clarke finally eased up. He sighed and joined his kids.

"Hermes, Artemis, Daddy's home," Clarke said. He picked Artemis up and sat her on his lap. He also patted Hermes' head.

"Daddy!" Artemis hugged Clarke's neck, while Hermes just nodded lightly, 

"Hi, Dad."

"What are you guys watching?" Clarke asked. 

"Finding Dory!" Artemis replied. "Daddy is so late. The movie is over now…."

"Ahahaha, Daddy's sorry, okay? The office has been very busy, so I can't come. But I'm here now. Do you want to watch another movie?"

Artemis shook her head, "I just want to watch Finding Dory. It's okay, Daddy. Uncle Reed is with us!"

"Yeah, Dad. You're too late for this. It's okay. Uncle Reed accompanied us," Hermes added. 

Clarke frowned after their answers. Obviously, they were upset, especially Hermes, who didn't even bother to smile at his Dad. He knew that he was wrong for being unable to come and play with them, but it was for their own good. 

"But Daddy wants to play with you guys—"

Hermes suddenly got up from the couch and walked towards his Mom in the kitchen, "Mom, what's for lunch?" He asked.

"Huh?" Gaius was startled when Hermes suddenly walked towards him and asked for lunch. He glanced at Clarke, who eyed them from the home theatre silently, there was a trace of annoyance and anger in Clarke's face, but he didn't seem to be hostile. Maybe he was just annoyed that Hermes didn't greet him the way he used to. 

"Hermes, go and talk with your dad. He worked hard for us. You should at least appreciate him."

"He works for himself, not for us…." Hermes complained.

"HERMES!" Gaius yelled at his son, and Hermes was startled. 

He lowered his head and apologized, "I'm sorry, Mom…."

"Go and give your dad a beer from the fridge. He must've been drained," Gaius ordered. 

Hermes was very obedient to his Mom. Although he was still angry at his Dad, he picked one beer and gave it to Clarke. 

"Oh, thank you, Hermes," Clarke patted Hermes' head, but the kid said nothing. 

After drinking a can of beer in one go, he asked Artemis, "So, do you want to play with Daddy today?" 

"No need, Dad. Uncle Reed played with Arte yesterday. He let me use the princess castle!"

"… And he let me play with the water slides. He's a lot of fun to play with," Hermes's suddenly said. 

"Yes, yes! Uncle Reed is the best!"

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